Nervous System

Question 1

Cerebrovascular accident (stroke)

Answer 1

occurs when the brain is damaged by disruption in the flow of blood to a part of the brain (embolic) or by bleeding inside the head (hemorrhagic)
severe headache, aphasia, dysphagia, weakness/numbness of the face, confusion, loss of balance
usually result from atherosclerosis and hypertension
treatment = anticoagulants, surgery, antiarrhythmic drug

Question 2

Transient ischemic attach

Answer 2

temporary episodes of impaired neurologic function caused by inadequate blood flow
weakness and numbness down one side of the body, generally conscious, recurrent episodes
most common cause is atherosclerosis, however does not cause permanent damage to brain tissue
treatment = anticoagulants, aspirin, surgery

Question 3

Epidural and subdural hematomas

Answer 3

collection or mass of blood that forms between the skull and the dura mater, or between the dura mater and the arachnoid membrane
sudden headache, dilated pupils, drowsiness, unconscious, coma, death
results when blood from ruptured vessels seeps into layer, generally due to head trauma
treatment = craniotomy, cranial trephination

Question 4

Cerebral concussion

Answer 4

possible bruising of cerebral tissue caused by back and forth movement of the head
loss of consciousness, amnesia, shallow respirations, headache, decreased levels of concentration
results from injury with a blunt object
treatment = quiet bed rest

Question 5

Cerebral contusion

Answer 5

injury to the brain involving tissue along or beneath surface of the brain
range from temporary loss of consciousness to coma, severe headache, permanent damage to the brain from hematomas
caused by a blow to the head, often associated with skull fracture, physical abuse
treatment = hospitalization

Question 6

Depressed skull fracture

Answer 6

fractured skull occurs with a break in the bones of the cranium, bones pushed below normal surface of the skull
bone fragments may cause hemiplegia, epilepsy, bleeding, change in pupils, bruising behind ears
due to impact on the skull, abuse
treatment = craniotomy, head protection

Question 7

Paraplegia and quadriplegia

Answer 7

affects the innervation any spinal cords distal to the point of insult
paraplegia = loss of nerve function below waist
quadriplegia = loss of nerve function at the cervical region
leads to loss of motor control, bowel, bladder function, hypertension, paralysis
due to vertebral fractures/dislocations from trauma
treatment = restoration of normal alignment, surgery

Question 8

Degenerative disk disease

Answer 8

degeneration/deterioration of disk is a natural part of aging
results in pain radiating down nerve path, some numbness and tingling
as a person ages, water in the disk decreases, constant wearing of the disk
treatment = activity, analgesics, oral steroids, physical therapy

Question 9

Herniated and bulging disk

Answer 9

ruptured/slipped disk, rupture of the nucleus pulposus through the annular wall of the disk (shock-absorbing cushions)
the protrusion affects the spinal cord, causing severe back pain, muscle weakness
treatment = hot or cold packs, muscle relaxants, physical therapy, surgery

Question 10

Sciatic nerve injury

Answer 10

narrowing of the spinal canal or root foramen, compression on the spinal cord
pain continuous or intermittent, severe disability, numbness, reflexes are asymmetric
results from fall, poor body mechanics, gunshot or stab wounds, aging process
treatment = physical therapy, massage, exercise program, drug therapy

Question 11

Headache

Answer 11

pain in the head not confined to any one specific nerve area
acute or chronic, in the frontal, temporal or occipital regions
brain tissues do not contain sensory nerves, but meninges do
cluster headaches = specific disease, develop around eye, generally occurs at night and in males
factors = stress, too little or too much sleep, noisy environment, strain on facial muscles, edema within blood vessels
treatment = analgesics, muscle relaxants, relaxation

Question 12

Migraine

Answer 12

periodic severe headaches that can be completely incapacitating
accompanied with nausea, vomiting, anorexia, have visual auras
become less frequent with age, more often in women
treatment = bed rest, drug therapy

Question 13

Epilepsy/a seizure disorder

Answer 13

chronic brain disorder, sudden episodes of abnormal electrical activity
partial seizures = localized area, amnesia, twitching
petit mal = absence seizures
grand mal = loss of consciousness, muscle spasms
associated with TIA and CVAs, birth trauma, drug toxicity
treatment = anticonvulsant medications

Question 14

Parkinson’s disease

Answer 14

common, progressive, neurological disorder
tremor of thumb and forefinger, muscular rigidity, slowness of movement, changes in behaviour and mental activity
due to deficiency of dopamine
treatment = drugs, antidepressants, physical therapy, deep brain stimulation

Question 15

Huntington’s chorea

Answer 15

hereditary degenerative disease of the cerebral cortex, atrophy of the brain
loss of musculoskeletal control, difficulty in swallowing, personality changes
autosomal dominant
treatment = physical, occupational, speech therapy

Question 16

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

Answer 16

progressive motor neuron disease resulting in muscular atrophy
fasciculations and atrophy and weakness noted in forearms and hands
autosomal inherited, more common in men after 50-60 years of age
treatment = supportive measures, drug therapy

Question 17

Restless legs syndrome

Answer 17

neurologic condition with urge to move legs due to itching/burning/crawling sensations
usually occur at night, or during long period of sitting
increases with age, related to anemia
treatment = drug therapy, regular exercise, cold applications

Question 18

Transient global amnesia

Answer 18

temporary total recent memory loss, confusion
usually encompasses preceding 3-5 years and specific events
factors = stress, swimming in cold water, migraine headaches
treatment = supportive therapy

Question 19

Peripheral neuritis/neuropathy

Answer 19

degeneration of the peripheral nerves, affecting distal muscles of the extremities
clumsiness, loss of sensation, reflexes become diminished
factors = alcohol intoxication, toxic substances, infectious diseases
treatment = remove toxic substances, supportive measures

Question 20

Trigeminal neuralgia

Answer 20

pain in the area innervated by the trigeminal nerve
excruciating pain in eye and forehead, pain is unilateral, poor sleep
cause is unknown
treatment = analgesics, anticonvulsants

Question 21

Bell’s palsy

Answer 21

disorder of the facial nerve causing sudden onset of weakness or paralysis of facial muscles
variety in severity, pain behind ear, inability to pen/close eye, drooping of mouth
cause = blockage of impulses from facial nerve, some percentage of people with Lyme disease
treatment = warm/moist heat, massage, facial exercises

Question 22

Meningitis

Answer 22

inflammation of meninges, membranous coverings of brain and spinal cord
vomiting, headache, seizures, drowsiness, nuchal rigidity
can be bacterial or viral, can originate from brain or sinuses, or during open head injuries
treatment = IV antibiotics, anticonvulsants

Question 23

Encephalitis

Answer 23

inflammation of brain tissue
headache, elevated temperature, stiffness in neck and back, mental confusion
leads to cerebral edema, caused by viruses from chicken pox/measles/mumps
due to bite from infected mosquito
treatment = antiviral agents, analgesics

Question 24

Guillain-Barré syndrome

Answer 24

acute, progressive disease of the spinal nerves
numbness and tingling of feet, increasing pain and tenderness, ascending paralysis
treatment = hospitalization, supportive treatment

Question 25

Brain abscess

Answer 25

collection of pus occurring anywhere in the brain tissue
headache, increased intracranial pressure, visual disturbances
may be result of infection or secondary to infections elsewhere
treatment = IV antibiotics, surgical drainage

Question 26

Poliomyelitis and postpolio syndrome

Answer 26

viral infection of the anterior horn cells of gray matter of the spinal cord, causes destruction of motor neurons
low grade fever, discharge from nose, atrophy of muscles, decreased reflexes
occurrance is rare due to vaccines, enters through nose and throat
treatment = analgesics, bed rest, physical therapy

Question 27

Brain tumors

Answer 27

primary tumors, neoplasms, secondary tumors
progressive neurologic deficits, herniation, headache, seizures, cognitive dysfunction
classified according to predominant cell type, greater in industrialized countries
treatment = surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy